Recruiting FT to Charlotte (IB)

Long story short, I signed an offer extremely early this spring for a 2023 SA gig in NYC. Fast forward almost 6 months, and I have reached a conclusion based on personal reasons and desires that I do not want to work FT in NYC. Charlotte is what seems overwhelmingly more attractive for where I want to be. Now for the questions...

1. When should I begin to attempt to build a network with different groups in Charlotte? I currently have no contacts, and my alumni base is located almost entirely in NYC

2. When reaching out, how up front should I be that I'm trying to recruit to Charlotte? Obviously it will be somewhat implied regardless, therefore should I be straight forward when cold-emailing saying that I desire to work in CLT? Any sort of tips when cold-emailing those I am going to reach out to, or remarks on the phone would be appreciated.

Thanks folks.

9 Comments
 

Probably cost and quality of life, NYC has become cost prohibitive for analysts. You can pay less in CLT for a one bed on your own than a place with roommates in the city. As banking has become more competitive with PE pay choosing a lower COL place with a BB presence, good public schools and the ability to afford a nice house at the VP/D level without an hour plus commute is appealing. Pair it with a more friendly tax regime, a decent young professionals scene and access to nature within an hour and it’s easy to see why people like it.

 

Just started FT in CLT after interviewing with several firms here two years back.The culture is incredibly different in CLT than other finance cities even within the same bank - much more relaxed. At least at my bank, you have to fit an SEC type culture and have a REALLY good reason why you want to be in CLT.If you signed for a good shop in NYC for next summer, I say do it and then recruit FT in CLT. You'll have much more leverage and it's getting late in the recruiting cycle for SA here. Plus, you'll be able to tell your interviewers definitively that NYC/Chicago/SF Isn't for you.

 

Thanks for the great info. I think I can speak well to the why CLT answer. When would you recommend I start attempting to network with bankers in CLT given I have no contacts? Should I get started before my SA stint or wait till I begin? 

 

I don't really understand all the hype about Charlotte. 

I spent 5 weeks in CLT last summer for my Analyst training and I found the city boring AF, there is literally nothing to do or going on there, just a few skyscrapers surrounded by boring suburbs.  

The only advantage I see is the housing cost, you can get a really nice apartment in CLT for $2.5k rather than living in a closet, but since we work 100h per week who cares where you live? 

 

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